Giancarlo Stanton Suffers Calf Setback, Delays Return for Yankees

New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton suffered a setback in his rehabilitation after tweaking his calf while running the bases this week. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the injury to reporters, including Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The setback could delay Stanton’s return, which was expected as soon as next week.

Stanton has been on the injured list since late April with a calf strain and had been progressing toward a return. His absence is a significant blow to a Yankees lineup already missing Aaron Judge and recently lost Trent Grisham. With Stanton sidelined, Paul Goldschmidt has moved into a full-time role at first base, increasing his playing time from a part-time role.

Ben Rice has also shifted from first base to designated hitter in the absence of Stanton. Rice has been a steady presence in the lineup, but the Yankees are counting on Goldschmidt to provide veteran leadership and offensive production. Goldschmidt is batting .259 with a .762 OPS through 105 at-bats this season.

Stanton was off to a modest start in the power department with three home runs, but he was performing at league-average levels overall with a 101 wRC+. The 36-year-old had a .724 OPS through 24 games before his injury. Stanton returned to the outfield last season after DHing in 2024, making 18 starts on defense, but he has not played the outfield yet this season.

This injury is not new for Stanton, who has been plagued by health issues in recent years. He hasn’t reached 500 plate appearances since 2021, and past injuries to his Achilles, hamstring, and elbow have limited his availability. The right calf has been a recurring issue, with strains in 2021 and 2022.

Boone said additional imaging could be needed to assess the extent of the setback. The Yankees are expected to determine next steps after the results come in. Meanwhile, young outfielders Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones are getting more opportunities. Dominguez returned from a shoulder injury and hit a solo home run off Kevin Gausman in his first at-bat.

The Yankees will continue to monitor Stanton’s condition as they aim to get him back on the field safely. The team is scheduled to play the Miami Marlins on Friday at 7:20 PM ET.